Thursday is our busiest night of activities. Gwyneth has an hour of ballet, an hour of tap and jazz combo, and 45 minutes of hip hop. It’s a lot of dance. It’s almost overwhelming for a 6 year old. She loves, loves, loves to dance and she is so full of joy while doing it, but she gets tired. By that last hip hop class, I see a few yawns. She told me she worries that her teacher thinks she is lazy in hip hop because she is tired…..oh my goodness, this girl. So thoughtful and full of heart. I asked her if she wants to quit hip hop or try for another time – of course, she wants to stick with it. Such perseverance. 

Oh yeah, and every other Thursday Annabelle has girl scouts. 

Tonight was extra special because it was Annabelle’s night off girl scouts and she was able to join us for Gwyneth’s Halloween dance performances. Gwyneth was the cutest little Annie and did a wonderful job with all of her routines. My favorite of course was the ballet – her and her adorable friend, Paige (along with the rest of the class of course) did a routine to Phantom of the Opera. So very, very serious and very, very fabulous. .

Next up was tap and her One-eyed, one-horned giant purple people eater. 

And last up was hip hop, which I can’t remember the name of the song, but she rocked it with her street moves. 😉

Annabelle was our sweet little, good sport this evening. We basically went back and forth to the Mexican restaurant next door to the dance studio so we didn’t have to drive home in between routines. She did math homework over chips and salsa. Reading over appetizers. And then sat and told us stories about her day over dinner entrees. It was a long night requiring a lot of patience from her and she never complained. 

How many costumes can two little girls wear in less than an hour? 

Well, Gwyneth and her friend Riley accepted this challenge and made their way through the dress up closet. They had quite the playdate and lots of laughs after school today. Sweet friends. 

Welcome back Spirograph!  I loved, loved, loved my Spirograph when I was a kid and I’m so excited that Annabelle received one for her birthday. She finally let me play with it yesterday and agreed that I am indeed awesome with the Spirograph. Yeah, it’s true, but I guess I’ll let her play with it too. 

Gwyneth’s troops’ Halloween party was at our house. We had lots of crafts, snacks, and of course, a freeze dance party. The girls looked adorable in their costumes. We are getting such great wear out of the Halloween costumes this year. I think Halloween has become a month long event now. 

Friends since they were  just babies. Oh my, how they have grown.

Gwyneth and Jenna pretending to be vampires and Kate pretending to be frightened. Excellent acting skills all around. 

Annabelle is in the “big kid” classes now for dance so they don’t dress up anymore for their in-class Halloween performances. Her ballet class performed The Flight of The Bumblebee for us. They are so stinkin’ adorable in their pale blue leotards and very serious hair buns. It is quite a big class. 

She is doing so well and gaining such strength, flexibility and coordination. She is currently in five classes and ballet, although maybe not the most exciting for her, I think is the most important. Plus, I just love watching her be so graceful when my girls are normally bouncing off the walls. 

Gwyneth and I like this picture because I managed to capture Annabelle making her silly face at Gwyneth. 

Next up Poms class. Annabelle loves this class and it really shows. She works hard on her routine, practices around the house (if she’s not tapping….she always seems to be flapping or shuffling somewhere), and gives it great effort. I’m so proud of how hard she works and I love to watch her dance. Go Annabelle!

We are a training-wheel free house now! 

Congratulations to Miss Gwyneth who learned to ride her bike in just one day. We never pushed the girls to learn, B always waited for them to ask. Sure enough, Gwyneth decided it was time and learned in just one day. I am so, so proud of her.  I’m equally impressed with B for being such a patient, loving, devoted dad. 

Go Gwyneth Go! 

The view for bike riding from our bike ride is pretty phenomenal. Doesn’t get much better than this. 

Gwyneth had a mock sleepover Saturday night — we picked her up at 9:00 and she went to sleep peacefully in her own bed. She challenged to me to a game of checkerss the next morning. Don’t be fooled — she’s good. I didn’t let her win, I’m not that kind of momma, but she gave me a good run and now she is determined to beat me. Game on, girlie. Game on!

Annabelle had a sleepover the night before with 20 other girls for her friend Ava’s birthday. 20 second grade girls! Wow. Ava’s parents are amazing. This sleepover was the “no sleep” kind. Annabelle managed to stay up the entire night. There was a little girl who threw up around midnight and lots of other excitement. She was really proud of herself. Annabelle promptly came home and fell right to sleep. She slept a few hours and was still asking for her bed at 7:30 tonight. Those sleepovers can really wear a little girl out! 

While B and Gwyneth practiced riding bikes Annabelle and I went to the movies. Poor girl was just so worn out. She enjoyed the movie and we had a great day together. She was just so darn tired.

Gwyneth had her 6 year old well exam today. She is healthy and happy and there’s not a whole lot more that a mom can ask for. She is super tall, skinny-mini, and very strong. Both girls were very brave getting flu shots so naturally I rewarded them with ice cream. I’m not above bribery…

 

We picked up B and headed off to Anderson Farms to find our pumpkins for the season. Since we cut out early for doctors appointments we were able to make it to the it the farm early and beat the crowd. It was nearly empty and we had the place to ourselves. It was GREAT!

 

We celebrated James’ 3rd birthday with a very fun train party at Liz and John’s house. The girls were very excited to see friends from my Mom’s club. it has been so busy lately I haven’t had time to catch up with these friends so it was a great opportunity to see everyone.

 

Annabelle had a birthday party today so Gwyneth dressed up and I took her to our neighborhood Trick or Treat street. She got so much love for her Annie costume. She’s so stinkin’ cute. 

 

She was the only Annie in a sea of Elsas, Annas and Olaffs. Not that we don’t love Frozen around here, but it was quite easy to spot her in the crowd in that bright fabulous red wig .

 

We had a lot of trouble finding a decent Annie wig, so we picked a Merida wig and just gave it a hair cut. She nailed the Annie look and I am loving it.

 

I love this connection with my childhood. When I was 6 I was obsessed with Annie and I went as Annie for Halloween. Now thirty years later, Gwyneth is 6 and Annie for Halloween. I am so in love with this. It’s still a fabulous costume and she is just so retro.

So sad to say goodbye to our California family. We had a great trip and we’re counting down until we get to see them again. For my girls, it’s never soon enough!